Getting tough with addicts would help them in the end
Re: Sobriety only answer to opioid crisis, Column, Dec. 14
Yes, rather than facilitating addicts’ drug habit, we should concentrate on getting these poor souls off the street, into rehab and off drugs. Good on you for saying it.
All the efforts and money that is being spent on just keeping addicts alive, but leaving them on the street, should be spent on providing sufficient treatment facilities, where addicts are weaned off drugs, and other health issues are treated.
It is sickening to see people line up on welfare day, and immediately pass that money on to drug dealers.
It is obvious the system of voluntary rehab is not working. The majority of addicts do not have the willpower to check into rehab on their own. They must be encouraged with “tough love” and compassion, and made to go. It amazes me to see politicians and all the agencies involved lamenting about the situation; but immediately reject the idea of forcing addicts into rehab as an infringement on their right to lie in an alley and shoot up.
Let’s get them off the street, treat them with compassion, get them clean and give them back some self-respect. Then help them find a job and integrate back into society. They may not want to leave that alley, but in the end they will be thankful.
Fred Stark, Halfmoon Bay
Health care is province’s job
Re: City to hike property levy by 3.9 per cent, Dec. 14
I find it surprising the City of Vancouver would get further involved in health care knowing how fast it swallows up money. It is the province’s responsibility for health care and any smart city would keep out of it and put pressure on the province to solve the overdose problem. The citizens of Vancouver should tell council to back off.
Ralph Wand Sr., Penticton
Richmond welcomes diversity
Re: Churches push back over racist flyers, Dec. 6
Canadians are well-known for their open-mindedness, tolerance and compassion. As a land of immigrants, we understand what it means to start anew and what it feels like to be welcomed into a new home.
Richmond is considered to be one of the most multicultural communities in Canada. Its inhabitants, despite their differences, get along well with each other. The city has won various recognitions and awards for its intercultural harmony and diversity. As a matter of fact, Richmond citizens consider its diversity as one of its major strengths.
Perhaps it is this kind of positive coverage by the media that Richmond has attracted the attention of a very small but active racist element. Unfortunately, it always seems to be the negative act that makes news, outweighing the countless positive acts that occur daily in our lives.
Recently, Richmond’s Chinese-Canadian community has been targeted — racist flyers aimed at the Chinese community and distributed to some households have been roundly condemned by the city and community leadership. Richmond Multicultural Community Services (RMCS) stands solidly with the community in condemning these flyers and the intent behind them.
RMCS has always been at the forefront in promoting intercultural harmony, tolerance, inclusion and celebration. Balwant Sanghera, president, Richmond
Multicultural Community Services